Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and head coach Tyronn Lue talk during a time out in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.(Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports)

The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost 14 of their past 21 games, Kevin Love suffered a broken left hand and the prospect of them returning to the Finals for a fourth consecutive season looks grimmer by the day. With the trade deadline looming on Thursday, and LeBron James' future in Cleveland very much in question, USA TODAY Sports' NBA insiders Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt tackled four pressing questions in Cleveland.

What should the Cavs do with the Brooklyn pick?

Amick: A quick reminder: LeBron is one of the best players of all time, a 33-year-old who has given Cavs owner Dan Gilbert every reason to believe he can produce at a Hall of Fame level for several more seasons. Yet here is Gilbert, and here are the Cavs, refusing to even discuss parting ways with their precious Brooklyn pick as the deadline nears.

The message sent to LeBron? We’re more interested in preparing for life without you than we are improving life with you. The Cavs should have been gauging the market for the Brooklyn pick months ago and seeing which superstar they could add with that asset, but the expectation among rival executives now is that they’ll have a relatively quiet deadline.

If Gilbert didn’t have all the emotional baggage of LeBron’s 2010 departure weighing him down, he’d see that any other team in this situation would do anything and everything they could to keep a player of his ilk. Instead, the noise about Gilbert being more than happy to say goodbye to James when the summer rolls around grows louder. And while only Gilbert knows how he truly sees it, there are members of James’ inner circle who have been hearing this narrative for months now.

Gilbert wants his team back. C’est la vie LeBron. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy, one that could result in a relatively quiet trade deadline for the Cavs and with Gilbert likely living to regret the ill-advised tact he took – again.

Zillgitt: Right now, the Brooklyn picks falls into the No. 8 slot – a spot that could land the Cavs a player such as Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson, Duke’s Wendell Carter, Alabama’s Collin Sexton, Texas’ Mo Bamba, Kentucky’s Kevin Knox, Villanova’s Mikal Bridges or Michigan State’s Miles Bridges. All very good players, but it’s unknown what kind of pro each one will be.

So, here’s what the Cavs should do with the pick: if they can get an All-Star caliber player with multiple years left on his contract after this season and the Cavs feel that player can get them to the NBA Finals and perhaps win a championship and perhaps convince LeBron James to stay – if that’s what they want – they should make the deal.

But if it’s a player on an expiring deal, especially one who isn’t a difference-maker and especially against Golden State, there’s no reason to trade the Brooklyn pick.

Now in their fourth season since James returned, is mental fatigue taking a toll on the Cavs?

Amick: It’s a whole lot more complicated than the fatigue factor, and it has everything to do with the layers of dysfunction that the Cavs are battling. Cavs general manager Koby Altman is trying hard to shed the contracts of Tristan Thompson (two years, $36 million remaining) and J.R. Smith ($14.7 million next season, team option worth $15.6 million in 2019-20 with $3.8 million guaranteed), two players who were re-signed in large part because of LeBron’s omnipresent influence. They’re all represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who built the agency with a huge assist from James. As it pertains to the Cavs’ interest in the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, a person with knowledge of that situation said Cleveland continues to offer only its own first-round pick and this kind of unwanted money in those stalled negotiations. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

Zillgitt: Going to the Finals three consecutive seasons is taxing physically and mentally. Before Golden State and Cleveland did it, the previous team to do it was the Miami Heat with LeBron James, and the fatigue was apparent in San Antonio’s five-game series win in James’ final season with Miami. Even Warriors coach Steve Kerr once noted how difficult going to the Finals season after season after season was with Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. It falls apart for a variety of logical reasons.

And this season’s struggles for the Cavs seem to be different than previous seasons – the problems deeper and less fixable. That’s just on the court where James and many of his teammates haven’t meshed as quickly as anticipated. Off the court dynamics with players, the front office and ownership have created a tension and drama that add weight to the situation, including finger-pointing and power struggles.

These successful runs must end at some point, and for the Cavs, that point seems closer and closer.

How would you assess this summer's blockbuster trade with Boston?

Amick: At the moment, with Thomas struggling and Kyrie Irving elevating his game in Boston, it looks like a terrible move because, well, it will likely lead to the exit of … LeBron James. And Gilbert, who made the decision to send former general manager David Griffin to the exits in mid-June, bears the responsibility here. As has been reported, Griffin and the Cavs came close to landing Paul George from the Indiana Pacers via trade and, by all accounts, sending the kind of message to James that might compel him to stay. Instead, this train went off the tracks and it looks highly unlikely of getting back on at this point.

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Isaiah Thomas (3) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray (5) defends during the second half at AT&T Center.(Photo: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports)

Zillgitt: It hasn’t worked. While it looked like a decent return at the time for a player who wanted out, Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder and to a lesser extent Ante Zizic haven’t come close to lessening the impact of losing Irving. It’s just been 13 games in his return from Thomas’ problematic hip injury, but the Cavaliers have a net rating of minus-14.8 points per 100 possessions with Thomas on the court, and Crowder has a net rating of minus-4.1.

The James-Thomas dynamic has struggled to make an impact – even offensively. With those two on the court at the same time, the Cavs score 100.8 points and allow 115.8 points per 100 possessions. It’s obvious that it might just take the rest of the season for Thomas, who is shooting 36.4% from the field and 23.7% on three-pointers, to find his offensive rhythm. While that’s fair given the injury, it’s taking longer than the Cavs probably expected, and it’s possible he won’t return to his Celtics self until it’s too late to make an impact this season.

With that said, if the Cavs win 15 of 20 games after the All-Star break and somehow, magically “flip the switch,” I’m going to lose my basketball mind.

How will this season affect LeBron's free agency decision?

Amick: Another trip to the Finals could always change the landscape, but all signs point to James leaving Cleveland. So, barring his faith in Gilbert being renewed in the next four months, where does he go? That part remains unclear.

While we have chronicled the many reasons why the Houston Rockets are a viable possibility, the Lakers scenario remains front and center in the minds of many league executives. And even with George saying recently that he’s happy in Oklahoma City, there is still a strong sense in some circles that he’ll jump at the chance to partner with James while playing for his hometown team in July.

Zillgitt: It’s easy to envision several scenarios in which James returns to the Cavaliers and in which he doesn’t. The Cavs could reach the Finals and I see him returning or see him not returning. The Cavs could win the championship and same thing. Falling short of reaching the NBA Finals however could push James to another team with a better chance of competing for a title. Could it be Philadelphia? Houston? San Antonio? Could it be the Los Angeles Lakers if another All-Star joined him and the Lakers made some other moves? But for now, James wants to see if it can work in Cleveland, and that means making moves before the trade deadline that put Cleveland in better position to win now and in the future. What is the front office, and more pointedly, ownership doing to convince James Cleveland is the best place for him in the future? We’re about to find out.

29. Orlando Magic (14-34) | Last week: 28 - The Magic, who led the NBA through the first nine games of the season with a three-point percentage of 42.1, have been the second-worst in the league since, making 33.4% of their attempts.
Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports

28. Sacramento Kings (15-34) | Last week: 30 - It was another week of growth for De'Aaron Fox, who slammed home a game-winning putback against Miami on Thursday and scored a career-high 26 points (on 6-for-6 from three) against San Antonio on Sunday.
Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports

27. Phoenix Suns (17-33) | Last week: 25 - The Suns may not be stuck in their rebuild for much longer, according to general manager Ryan McDonough, who said "the team is ready" to accelerate their timeline and be aggressive in free agency this summer.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports

26. Dallas Mavericks (16-34) | Last week: 26 - Though their 34 losses are tied for the second-most in the NBA, the Mavs have only lost those games by an average of 8.8 points — the sixth-lowest margin in the league.
Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports

25. Memphis Grizzlies (17-31) | Last week: 27 - With Saturday's announcement that Mike Conley will undergo heel surgery and be shut down for rest of the season, any hope of the Grizzlies extending their postseason streak to eight was shut down as well.
Erik Williams, USA TODAY Sports

24. Brooklyn Nets (18-32) | Last week: 24 - Jahlil Okafor, who has logged 156 total minutes since being traded to the Nets in early December, put together his best performance of the season on Saturday, tallying 21 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

23. Chicago Bulls (18-32) | Last week: 22 - The Bulls have lost their past four games — each of which have been played without Kris Dunn, who's still in the NBA's concussion protocol after his scary fall against Golden State on Jan. 17.
Kamil Krzaczynski, USA TODAY Sports

22. Los Angeles Lakers (19-30) | Last week: 23 - The Lakers, who had won four in a row for the second time this month before Sunday's loss to Toronto, rank last in the NBA in both three-point percentage (32.7) and free-throw percentage (68.7).
Kamil Krzaczynski, USA TODAY Sports

21. Charlotte Hornets (20-28) | Last week: 20 - Seven of Charlotte's nine games before the All-Star break will be played on the road, where they've won six games (in 20 tries) this season.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports

20. Detroit Pistons (22-26) | Last week: 18 - The longest losing streak in the NBA belongs to the Pistons, who have now dropped eight straight and are three games behind Philadelphia for the eighth seed in the East.
Raj Mehta, USA TODAY Sports

19. Utah Jazz (21-28) | Last week: 21 - The Jazz, who have won three of their past four, are shooting 35.8% from the post this season — the lowest of any team since the NBA began tracking such data in 2013-14.
Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports

18. New York Knicks (22-28) | Last week: 19 - The trade deadline will be a moment of truth for the Knicks, who are once again mired in mediocrity but have a handful of solid veterans who could help teams that are in the playoff picture.
Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports

17. Los Angeles Clippers (25-24) | Last week: 15 - Three consecutive losses, though followed by two straight wins, puts the Clippers back out of the top eight in the West, one game behind Denver.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports

16. Denver Nuggets (26-23) | Last week: 17 - The Nuggets, winners of their past three games, are set to embark on one of their toughest stretches of the season, with Boston, San Antonio, Oklahoma City and Golden State on tap.
Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY Sports

15. Philadelphia 76ers (24-22) | Last week: 14 - The Sixers are 7-3 this month, boast a league-best net rating of 10.2 and trail only Golden State with a true shooting percentage of 59.3. Two of those losses, though, have come in their past four games.
Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports

14. Indiana Pacers (27-23) | Last week: 12 - Saturday night's game against Orlando marked yet another come-from-behind victory for the Pacers, who now have three wins on the season in games in which they've trailed by 21 or more points.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports

13. Milwaukee Bucks (26-22) | Last week: 16 - The Bucks are 3-0 since Joe Prunty replaced Jason Kidd and, according to Khris Middleton, have already taken on the personality of their new head coach. "With Joe, he’s a lot more relaxed, much more of a pick-a-guy-up type of guy and you kind of see that with the guys out here,” Middleton said after Sunday's win over Chicago.
David Banks, USA TODAY Sports

12. New Orleans Pelicans (27-22) | Last week: 13 - DeMarcus Cousins' injury couldn't have come at a worse time for the Pelicans, who had won six of their past seven games and were, at long last, looking like a legitimate playoff team.
Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports

10. Washington Wizards (27-22) | Last week: 9 - The Wizards started off the week with one of their worst performances of the season (a 98-75 loss to Dallas) and ended it with one of their best (a 129-104 win against Atlanta).
Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (29-19) | Last week: 10 - While the week was overshadowed by story lines surrounding the relationship between Isaiah Thomas and Kevin Love, the Cavs won back-to-back games for the first time since mid December.
David Richard, USA TODAY Sports

7. Oklahoma City Thunder (30-20) | Last week: 7 - The value Andre Roberson brings as a perimeter defender is no secret, as his defensive rating of 96.4 is the highest in the NBA among players who average at least 20 minutes per game. With his season-ending injury, the Thunder must decide whether they're better suited making a move at the Feb. 8 trade deadline or experimenting with their current roster.
Raj Mehta, USA TODAY Sports

6. Minnesota Timberwolves (32-20) | Last week: 5 - Things are heating up in the Northwest Division, as the Timberwolves are now one game ahead of Oklahoma City for fourth place in the Western Conference (they do, however, own the head-to-head tiebreaker).
Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports

5. San Antonio Spurs (33-19) | Last week: 6 - Dejounte Murray, San Antonio's point guard of the future, has thrived since being inserted back into the starting lineup last week, averaging 12.4 points (on 51% shooting), eight rebounds, five assists and 2.2 steals in five games.
Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports

4. Toronto Raptors (33-15) | Last week: 4 - The Raptors, who are on pace for the most wins in franchise history, are now one game behind Boston for first place in the East.
John E. Sokolowski, USA TODAY Sports

3. Boston Celtics (35-15) | Last week: 3 - Yes, the Celtics have lost five of their past six games and have the league's 28th-ranked offense during that span, but Saturday night's game against Golden State was another example of this team's standing among the NBA's elite, even in a loss.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports

2. Houston Rockets (35-13) | Last week: 2 - With a league-leading 751 three-pointers made (Golden State is second at 591), the Rockets, who have won five of their past six games, are well on their way to breaking their NBA record of 1,181 makes, which was set last season.
Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports

1. Golden State Warriors (40-10) | Last week: 1 - The Warriors, who have an 11-2 record this month, are shooting 50.9% from the field this season — the highest mark of any team since Utah in 1994-95, according to Basketball Reference.
Kyle Terada, SA TODAY Sports